Last Updated on September 9, 2025
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Why Traditional Goals Don’t Work
Many people use goals to try to improve their lives. They set New Year’s resolutions, business targets or personal milestones. But goal setting is often failure waiting to happen. Old‑fashioned goal setting can leave you feeling worse and may even harm your work or business. Instead of giving up on goals entirely, you can learn a better way to approach them.
The Problem with Traditional Goal Setting
Traditional goal‑setting uses the SMART rule. Goals should be Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time‑bound. This sounds helpful, but research shows that big, specific goals can make people ignore other important things and may even cause bad behaviour. Researchers from a group of business schools warn that when goals are too rigid, people might cheat to reach them, focus too much on one number, or lose their natural motivation. These side effects hurt company culture and personal well‑being.
When people miss high and specific goals, their mood, self‑confidence and motivation all drop. This means that failing ambitious goals can make you feel worse than if you had never set them at all. The stress of missing a goal can discourage you from trying again.
SMART goals also do not work for everyone. Some people feel inspired by them, but others do not. One study suggests that only about one‑quarter of people like using SMART goals, while another quarter prefer not to set plans at all. People who fall behind on their goals often stop checking their progress or give up entirely.
Many goals are boring because they only focus on actions. For example, “I will exercise three times a week.” This can feel like a chore. You might start with a lot of energy, but it fades. When willpower runs out, you return to old habits. Boring goals and willpower fatigue are big reasons why goal setting is often failure.
Very big goals, sometimes called stretch goals, can also create problems. While they can inspire people to try harder, they can also lead to risky behaviour or cheating. If reaching the goal is all that matters, people may ignore safety or honesty. This hurts teams and businesses.
Two Key Mindset Shifts
These two simple mindset shifts can help new investors and anyone else avoid goal‑setting failure. These ideas come from research on behaviour change.
1. Know Who You Want to Be
Instead of starting with a number, begin by asking who you want to become. Lasting change starts with identity. For example, if you want to get healthy, think of yourself as a healthy person. Picture the result you want and why it matters. Make sure your goal is connected to a deep reason. When your actions come from who you are and what you value, you feel drawn toward the goal instead of pushing yourself with willpower. This makes your goal more interesting and less of a chore.
2. Make a System and Enjoy the Journey
Traditional goals focus on the final result. A better approach is to build systems and habits that move you toward your vision. If you want to write a book, become the kind of person who writes every day. Focus on the process rather than the end. Treat your goal like an experiment. If something goes wrong, learn from it and adjust your system. This way, you see setbacks as feedback, not failure. Enjoying the journey keeps you moving forward, which is why goal setting is often failure when you only think of the end point.
Step‑by‑Step Process
- Find your “why.”
Ask yourself why this change is important. Think about the deeper outcome you want and imagine what it will feel like when you get there. This makes your goal meaningful.
- Choose an identity.
Decide who you want to be. For example, instead of saying “I want to save money,” say “I want to be a smart investor.” Linking your goal to your identity helps you stay motivated.
- Create small habits.
Do simple daily actions that match your new identity. A small habit, like saving a small amount each week, proves you are that person. Over time, these small habits build into big results.
- Build a helpful environment.
Surround yourself with people and tools that support your identity. Join a learning group, organize your workspace or change your routine so that it helps you succeed.
- Check your progress and be flexible.
Do not wait until the end to see if your goal worked. Check in often and adjust your plan if needed. Treat mistakes as lessons and change your system to make it better.
- Celebrate wins.
Every small step forward deserves celebration. Recognizing progress keeps you motivated and reminds you that you are moving in the right direction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Traditional goals often rely on strict targets. These can make people ignore other important things, take risks or even cheat. Missing a high target can also lower your mood and motivation. For these reasons, goal setting often fails when you follow old methods.
SMART goals can help you define what you want, but they do not work for everyone. Some people are not inspired by them, and those who fall behind may quit. Combining SMART goals with a clear identity and flexible habits can make them more useful.
An identity‑based habit starts with who you want to be. You create small actions that fit that identity. For example, if you want to be healthy, you might walk every day. Each walk reinforces your belief that you are a healthy person.
Willpower does not last. When your goal connects to a vision and a strong identity, you feel naturally pulled toward it. Surrounding yourself with supportive people and environments also helps. Celebrating small wins keeps your motivation high.
No. Goals can be helpful when used wisely. Focus on making them meaningful, flexible and linked to your identity. Instead of obsessing over a final number, build systems and habits that take you toward your vision. When you make these shifts, goal setting becomes a tool for growth instead of a source of stress.
Conclusion
Old‑fashioned goal setting can create stress and encourage bad behaviour. Big targets may hurt motivation and self‑esteem when you miss them, and they can lead to cheating or risky actions. By changing your mindset, you can turn goals into a positive tool. Start with who you want to be, build small habits and enjoy the journey. Then goal setting is often failure no more; it becomes a pathway to success and fulfilment.
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